Vive la Frank

Got a text message from Frank this morning saying he's holed up in an abandoned tin mine somewhere in Cornwall until the festive madness is over. I imagine this means he will be back sometime in the new year. But you never can tell. His family is still very worried about him. Even his borderline-idiot of a long lost son turned up out of the blue - which is useful, because he'll be starring in a new cartoon strip to be launched in mid January, and I needed to get his likeness down on paper . What a coincidence. Happy new year to you both

Frank?

Still no Frank. We sent out a search party this morning and found his slippers and cardigan in a snowdrift by the motorway, alongside a scattering of empty gin bottles and some syringes. Zorro is currently hibernating and is unavailable for comment

All Gods and none

Whatever your reasons may be for celebrating at this time of year - may it be peaceful and joyous

Instant Messaging

The Astro-turf phenomenon isn't new, but George Monbiot's recent article, and the recent Fox-leaks non-shock put it back in my mind

Elsewhere - Polar bears move inland and begin to assimilate, sound advice is offered on risk management and our persistent buggering of the soil takes its toll

122-WDIFB

Where art thou, Frank

I'm a bit worried about Frank. He went out in a snow storm a few days ago after 12 solid hours of economics research. He may be some time.

Oh well - plenty more where he came from

Whispering Fire on a Crowded planet

As Cancun winds up without collapsing, we are obliged to heave a reluctant sigh of qualified relief and await further developments. Low expectations make for happy campers

Carrots and Sticks

Does it seem like I'm studiously avoiding the Cancun conference and snarking on matters financial instead? That's because I am. Last year Marc Hudson and I went elbow deep into the Copenhagen debacle and I'm not going to go over all that ground again. Others are doing a fine job of picking out the new and the nuance from that particular can of worms, and Ill leave it to them for now. Besides - it all comes down to money in the end, and to how we decide to re-arrange our economic priorities to reflect the realties we are facing in the twenty first century. Like everyone says - follow the money...

Squids in

A shameless, unasked for and completely unauthorised plug for the New Economics Foundation initiative

Burning the Candle

Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar

Of course it can all be very upsetting, and there's a world of shit going on behind the scenes, but ordinary people can do extraordinary things with remarkably little. There are always reasons to hope.
So bollocks to the zombies, and the liars, we are a creative species

Further Lost in Translation

A system that relies on tomorrow being much, much bigger than today flies in the face of the reality of (soon to be) 9 billion folk on a finite planet.
They call them bubbles for a reason
Improvements are possible

DeGrowth, anyone?

Modernising Cantankerous Frank

Reversing this sort of madness is the key to a sustainable culture.

We're all aware by now of how low expectations are realistic ones - what with one thing and another, and we all know that money can buy almost anyone, but, with a little understanding, and a bit of good will, who knows

Shouting Fire on a Crowded Planet

Frank and Ern's kitchen is a highly combustible place - that's 3 times now. Must be the wiring.

As the American negotiators talk tough and warn the world to expect a walkout, the Amazon prepares to dry up and blow away

On a more positive note - aren't Earthships brilliant?!